Laminated electric circuit mounting boards



June 22, 1965 E. soRvlLLo 3,191,106#

LAMINATED ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MOUNTING BOARDS Filed March '7, 1965 4SheecS-Sheet l vllvafllllslggg l l l AHORA/EV.

June ZZ, 1965 E. sORVlLLO 3,191,100

LAMINATED ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MOUNTING BOARDS Filed March 7, 1965 4i.Shee'i;s-Sheet 2 UH@ 22, 1965 E. soRvlLLo 3,191,100

LAMINATED ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MOUNTING BOARDS Filed March 7, 1963 4Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. EUGENE SORVI LLO Wemag June Z2, 1965 E.soRvlLLo 3,191,100

LAMINATED ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MOUNTING BOARDS Filed March 7, 1963 4Sheets-Sheet 4 l l v."

d V/sb' "Il: 71",]5. Hoa ses j |69j 175B 17a l75a ,175C INVENTOR 164EUGENE SORVILLO 39517.

A TMP/VE? United States Patent O 3,191,100 LAMINATIID ELECTRIC CIRCUITMGUNTING BARDS Eugene Sorvillo, 1957 81st St., Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Mar.7, 1963, Ser. No. 263,465 4 Claims. (Cl. 317-101) This invention relatesto electric circuit mounting boards.

According to the invention there is provided a panel or board havinggrooves and openings in which electrical Wiring can be inserted. Aplurality of such panels or boards can be secured together to make up anelectrical assembly. The boards may be made of rigid or llexiblematerial.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide means forfacilitating the mounting of electrical wiring on a mounting panel orboard.

Another object is to provide a multiple board or panel assembly forcontaining Wiring in predetermined arrays.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, `reference will behad to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. l is a perspective View of a panel assembly embodying theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of an enlarged scale taken on line 2-2 of FIG.l.

FIG. 3 is a side view partially schematic in form of a pile of panelsheets and slot punching apparatus, illustrating a step in fabricationof panels embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of parts of a panel.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another panel assembly according to theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still another panel assembly.

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of an enlarged scale taken on line 6A--6Aor" FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a cross-grooved panel.

FIG. 8 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale taken on line 8-8 ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing the panel of FIGS.7 and 8, with components attached.

FIG. l0 is a fragmentary oblique top view of another cross-groovedpanel.

FIG. 10A -is a sectional View on an enlarged scale taken on line IGA-10Aof FIG. 10.

FIG. 1l is an exploded perspective view of apanel assembly embodying theinvention.

FIG. l2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a panel or board as used in theassembly of FIGS. ll and l2.

FIG. 14 is a perspective v-iew of another assembly of panels or boards,according to the invention.

FIG. l5 and FIG. 16 are sectional views respectively taken on lines15-15 and 16-16 ot FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 15 showing another form ofthe invention.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view `similar to FIG. 16 showing a further torniof the invention.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of another panelassembly.

FIG. 2() is a perspective View of part of a panel employed in theassembly of FIG. 19.

3,l9l,lhh Patented .lune 2.2, 1965 ice Referring iirst to FIGS. l and 2,there is shown a panel board assembly B which includes upper and lowerpanel sheets 21 secured by layers of a suitable adhesive 22 to oppositesides of an insulating and stiifening sheet 24. A pile of sheets 21 canbe mounted on a suitable support S as shown in FIG. 3 underneath cuttingdies 25 of a press 26. The dies can be forced down through the sheets tocut slots 28 shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 4. Between each pair of sheets canbe inserted an insulation sheet 24 coated with adhesive 22, or theinsulation sheet 24 can be attached to a single sheet 21 as indicated inFIG. 4. Thereafter holes 29 can be drilled at predetermined pointsthrough the sheets 21 and 24. Wires 3i) can be placed in the slots 23which are closed at one side by sheet 24. The wires t frictionally andare hush with or below the outer surface of each sheet 21. Ends of thewires can be connected to lugs or terminals 31 inserted in holes 29 forconnection to external circuits. Eyelets 32 can be inserted in the holesand leads 33, 33a of components such as resistor 35 or capacitor 35 canbe secured in the eyelets by solder 36.

FIG. 5 shows a panel board assembly 40 in which a plurality of panelassemblies B of different lengths and width are secured together byscrews 42. Terminal lugs r 31 are inserted in holes 29 at the ends ofslots 28 for connection to external circuits. The sheet 21 in each ofpanel assemblies B is secured to an insulation sheet 24 as explained inconnection with FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Wires 30 are pressed into the slots23, and terminate at opposite ends in lugs 31. y

The panel assemblies can be made in two or more plies or layers. Theycan be made of hard material such as phenolic plastic, acrylic, hardrubber or the like. They may also be made of soft material such as softrubber, I'iberboard and other insulation materials.` The severallaminations of a panel board assembly can be secured together by anysuitable means such as screws, rivets, glues, etc. It desired, outersurfaces of the panel board assembly can be coated with varnish or otherinsulation coatings.

In FIGS. 6 and 6A is shown another panel board assembly in which panelboards 52a, 52b overlap each other. The boards are secured by glue 5l.One end of board 52a extends outwardly beyond board 52b and the oppositeend of board 52b extends beyond board 52a. Each of the boards is formedwith rectangular crossed grooves 54.

At certain intersections of the grooves are `formed holes 5S. The holesin the two boards may be disposed in registration with each other.

A caple 6i) has insulated wires 61 dressed in grooves 54 of board 52a.These wires terminate at solder terminals 56. The several terminals canbe numbered as indicated by numbers 57 marked Xon the board. From theterminals 56 other wires 30a are set in the grooves in various ways.Wire #1, for example, extends laterally out of the assembly at the leftfor connection to an external circuit. Wire #2 continues up to a hole55B, then through board 52a to board 52h. The wire then is connected tosolder terminal 56a on board 52h. From there external wire 59 isconnected to an external circuit. A branch of wire #2 is connected toanother external circuit via external wire 59a at solder terminal 56h.

Wire #3 goes through hole 55., to board 521, and the extends along ahorizontal groove. The wire #3 extends laterally out of the assembly atthe Vright side of the assembly. Wire #4 extends up to hole 55d and thenthrough this hole to board 52". External wire 60 is connected toterminal 61 of wire #4.

Wire #5 extends up to hole 55e, then through this hole to the board 52h.The wire then extends laterally out of the right side of the assembly.

Wire #6 extends up to a cross groove 5ft and then laterally to alongitudinal groove S4". The wire extends to hole 55f and through thishole to board 52h where it is connected to external wire 62 at terminal63.

Wires #7, #8 and #9 are connected between terminals 56 and terminals56E, respectively. Laterally extending wires 64 are connected betweenterminals 56%L and external circuits.

It will be apparent that the cross-grooved arrangement of thesuperimposed panel boards makes possible many wire dressingarrangements. Wires can cross each other or can be dressed in the samedirection.

The panels boards 52a and 52.a can have grooves of different widths anddepths depending on the diameters of the wires to be iitted in thegrooves. Holes can be driller in the boards atall intersections of thecross grooves or at only selected points, where vertical and horizontalgrooves intersect. Eyelets can be inserted in the holes if externalcomponents are to be connected to the board. Thus in FIG. 9, a resistor65 has one end lead 66 inserted in eyelet 67 and secured by solder 6ft`or board 52C. The eyelet is set into hole 69 drilled in the board. Wire'711 is dressed around in a loop 71 to connect with the eyelet. FIGS. 7and 8 show 'the board f?.c prior `to insertion of wires 7@ into thegrooves 54 and insertion of eyelets into holes 69.

If external wire connections are to be made, then terminal lugs 72 canbe inserted into the holes 6 9. The ends of the wires "7@ can be loopedaround these lugs. If desired, crossing wires can be shunted around therear or underside of the board. This will be done by passing the wiresthrough the holes or eyelets in a manner similar to that employed inFIG. 6.

The panel boards can be cross-grooved on both sides as illustrated inFIGS. and 10A. The grooves 74a, Mb on the opposite sides of board 75 arepreferably disposed in registration. Holes 76 extend through the boardto communicate with grooves on vopposite sides of the board. Thickerboards or panel sheets will be used when grooves are formed on bothsides to insure sutiicient strength to the board structure at theintermediate section 77. The grooves on the opposite sides can havediiferent depths and widths. The cross-grooves can be made by sawing,routing, molding or pressing, depending on the type of material of theboard. n

The cross-grooved boards can be used for breadboard wiring inexperimental Work. The bare wire will stay securely in place -whenpressed or rolled into the grooves. Wires can be cross directed to anydesired terminals. The terminals can be -used to interconnect otherboards or external components. The bare wires can be covered byinsulated sheets or by suitable insulation coatings I as indicated inFIG. 9.

The above described cross-grooved panel board assemblies have a numberof desirable features.

(l) They act as terminal board assemblies for cables as indicated inFIG. 6.

(2) The wires of the cables can be identified by index numbers or othercoded markings on the boards.

(3) When changes must be made between cable wires and terminals on theboards, components connected to the wires need not be disturbed.

(4) Additional panel boards can be added to a laminated assembly as maybe required without disturbing other layers.

(5) Tests can be made from one terminal to another on the board withoutdisturbing the cable connections.

(6) The several boards in an assembly can have different thicknesses anddilferent sizes of grooves for receiving Wires of different currentcarrying capacity.

(7) Any one board can have grooves of different sizes for receivingWires of diferent carrying capacity.

(8) Wired portions of boards can be coated over with suitable coatingsfor additional insulation, waterproofing, etc.

In FIGS. lil and l2, there is shown another assembly 121B including aplurality of rigid rectangular panels or boards :112. Interposed betweenthe boards 112 and under the lowermost one of the boards are thin rigidpanels or sheets 114. The assembly is held together by bolts 116inserted through holes at the corners of the Iboards and secured by nuts11S.

Each of the boards 112 has a plurality of holes 122, 123 and 124 whichare cut out or punched out. These holes may be of different sizes.Connecting the holes are grooves or slots 126. Each of the boards 112can receive a wired electric circuit such as shown in FIG. ll. Thecircuit 13@ may include resistors 132, capacitor 133 or other electricalcomponents all connected together by wires 133 with leads 1311 extendingoutwardly for connection to other external circuits or for connection tocircuits 139 on other boards 112. The sheets 11d serve as spacers,insulators and stiiieners between the boards 112.

The corner holes `131 shown in FIG. 13 as well as holes 1224124 can bemade in a plurality of boards at the: same time by suitable drills andreamers. If the slots 126 are cut through the board then these slots canbe made by power jigsaws or bandsaws in a plurality of boards at thesame time. Preferably, narrow webswill be left in :slots `126 so thatthe boards do not come apart prior to assembly.

The circuits 13G can be prev/ired and made ready to insert into theprecut and grooved boards 112 as indicated in FIG. 11. The entireassembly 121i) thus constitutes in a compact block form a plurality ofprewired circuits which may be connected together by their externalleads 1311.

In FIGS. 14-16 is shown an assembly 14o including a stack or pile ofelectric circuit boards 142, each of which has a diiferent length. Eachboard is provided with a grid of grooves 144 to receive circuit wires145. Larger or smaller rectangular recesses 146, 14S are provided toreceive circuit components 15o. Holes 152 can be provided for passingwires 145 from one panel board to the other without running outside theassembly see FIG. 16. The holes 152 are connected to the grooves 144 byshort grooves 153. The grooves and recesses are not cut through theboards. Webs 154, 155 at the bottoms of the grooves and recesses serveas insulation elements to separate wires and electrical cornponents inthe several boards. The circuits in the several boards can be connectedby wire leads such as leads which extend out of the ends of uppershorter boards and into groove 144' in lower longer boards, as shown inFIG. 14.

In FIGS. 19 and 20 is shown an assembly 160 of panels 162 each of whichis formed of flexible rubber or plastic insulation material. Grooves 164for receiving wires 166 are formed in the upper surface of each panel.These grooves have constricted openings 167 defined by opposing lips 168at the upper surfaces of the panels. This construction permits wires 166to be forced into the cylindrical bottoms of the grooves. The lips 168will retain the wires therein. lRectangular recesses 169 or cylindricalrecesses 169a are also formed in the panels to receive electricalcircuit components 171i, 1701. The recesses have overhanging lips 172,17'2a which constrict the top openings of the recesses and retain theelectrical circuit components in the recesses. Metal clamps 174 can beused to secure the panels 162 together. The bottoms of the recesses andgrooves are closed by webs 1751-179.

In FIG. 18 is shown panel assembly 1603. Flexible panels 162a aregrooved similar to panels 162. Wire 1668l passes through holes V152a inthe stacked panels to join circuits in the several panels. The holes152s are connected to grooves 1643 by short connecting grooves 153e.Circuit wires 166b pass through grooves 1649- and are held therein byeverhanging lips 168a as in panels 162.

In FIG. 17, assembly 160gu of ilexible panels 1629' is held together byclamp 174'. Electrica-l circuit components 170 are seated in recesses169 in the several panels and are held by the overhanging lips 172.Wires 166b pass through grooves 164a and are held in the grooves byopposing lips 168a at the constricted openings in the grooves.

If desired, the panels in the several assemblies could be cementedtogether, or may be attached by rivets or other fastening means. TheeXible panels M2, 162a can be molded in mass production, plastic orrubber molding machinery at very low cost.

In all forms of the invention described, there is provided a grooved andrecessed insulated panel or panels adapted to retain an electricalcircuit including Wires and electrical components. These panels formcompact convenient means for mounting wired circuits in a minimum oftime and with a minimum of labor. When panels are provided with a gridof grooves, as shown in FIG. 14, the wires can be dressed in the groovesin any desired manner and need not be limited to any single arrangement.The panels made of flexible material can be provided with grooved gridsin the same manner as the rigid panels of FIG. 14.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to -be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes andmodifications may be made within the scope of the invention as delinedin the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent 1s:

1. An electrical circuit board comprising a flat panel, said panelhaving an array of grooves therein for receiving electric Wires and aplurality of recesses for receiving electrical components, certain ofsaid grooves communicating with said recesses for connection of certainof said Wires to said components, said grooves and recesses havingbottom webs to support the wires and components in the grooves, saidpanel being formed of iiexible material, each of said grooves andrecesses having a constricted opening defined by opposing lips to retainthe wires and circuit components in the grooves and recessesrespectively, said lips being suciently iexible to permit the Wires andcircuit components to be pushed past the lips into the grooves andrecesses.

2. An electrical circuit board assembly, comprising 50 a plurality ofsuperimposed fiat panels, means for securing the panels together, eachof said panels being formed of flexible material, said panels having anarray of grooves therein for receiving electric Wires and a plurality ofrecesses for receiving electrical components,

each of said grooves and recesses having a constricted opening dened byopposing lips to retain wires and circuit components in the grooves andrecesses, respectively, each of said grooves and recesses having aconstricted opening delined by opposing lips to retain the wires andcircuit components in the grooves and recesses, respectively, said lipsbeing sufficiently flexible to permit the wires and circuit componentsto be pushed past the lips into the grooves and recesses.

3. An electrical circuit board assembly, comprising a plurality ofsuperimposed at panels, each of said panels being formed of flexiblematerial, each of said panels having grooves and recesses therein,certain of said grooves communicating with the recesses, wires in someof the grooves, electrical components in some of the recesses, some ofthe Wires being connected to said components, each of said grooves andrecesses having opposing flexible lips at openings therein to retain thewires and components in the grooves and recesses respectively, said lipsbeing sufficiently flexible to permit the wires and circuit componentsto be pushed past the lips into the grooves and recesses and to bepulled past the lips out of the grooves and recesses, and means forsecuring the panels together to form a unitary assembly.

4. A circuit board assembly comprising a flat panel formed of flexiblematerial, said 4panel having grooves and recesses therein, certain ofsaid grooves communicating with the recesses, wires in some of thegrooves, electrical components in some of the recesses, some of theWires being connected to said components, each of said grooves andrecesses having opposing flexible lips at openings therein to retain thewires and components in the grooves and recesses respectively, said lipsbeing sutlciently flexible to permit the wires and circuit components tobe pushed past the lips into the grooves and recesses and to be pulledpast the lips out of the grooves and recesses.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,019,625 11/35OBrien 339--17 2,474,988 7/49 Sargrove 317--101 2,932,772 4/60 Bowman etal. 339-18 2,937,358 5/60 Bulger 317--101 2,981,868 4/61 Severson317-101 3,102,213 8/63 Bedson et al. 317--101 LARAMIE E. ASKIN, PrimaryExaminer. JOHN F. BURNS, DARRELL L, CLAY, Examiners.

1. AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BOARD COMPRISING A FLAT PANEL, SAID PANELHAVING AN ARRAY OF GROOVES THEREIN FOR RECEIVING ELECTRIC WIRES AND APLURALITY OF RECESSES FOR RECEIVING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, CERTIAN OFSAID GROOVES COMMUNICATING WITH SAID RECESSES FOR CONNECTION OF CERTAINOF SAID WIRES TO SAID COMPONENTS, SAID GROOVES AND RECESSES HAVINGBOTTOM WEBS TO SUPPORT THE WIRES AND COMPONENTS IN THE GROOVES, SAIDPANEL BEING FORMED OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL, EACH OF SAID GROOVES ANDRECESSES HAVING A CONSTRICTED OPENING DEFINED BY OPPOSING LIPS TO RETAINTHE WIRES AND CIRCUIT COMPONENTS IN THE GROOVES AND RECESSESRESPECTIVELY, SAID LIPS BEING SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE TO PERMIT THE WIRESAND CIRCUIT COMPONENTS TO BE PUSHED PAST THE LIPS INTO THE GROOVES ANDRECESSES.